The Shadow

Whatever the flaws of the 1994 big-screen adaptation of the classic Depression-era pulp avenger the Shadow, there's no denying the ominous grandeur of Jerry Goldsmith's score perfectly conveys the film's guns-blazing source material -- atmospheric yet rousing, its dark themes superbly complement the lurid but tongue-in-cheek violence onscreen. In a nod to the Shadow's long-running radio serial, Goldsmith punctuates his melodies with electronic effects and other elements of sonic sleight-of-hand, but the crashing percussion and volcanic brass require little aid in communicating the narrative's action. Unfortunately, Arista's official soundtrack release butchers Goldsmith's score to a mere 30 minutes to make room for two (!) renditions of Taylor Dayne's awful "Original Sin" alongside dialogue from the film and an Orson Welles-headlined radio episode. With any luck, a specialty label like Varese Sarabande or Intrada will ultimately reissue the score in full, exacting vengeance upon the evil that lurks in the hearts of Arista execs. ~ Jason Ankeny